Quantum dot solar cell

Abstract

A solar cell is disclosed that may include a quantum dot, an electron conductor, and a bifunctional ligand disposed between the quantum dot and the electron conductor. The bifunctional ligand may include a first anchor group that bonds to the quantum dot and a second anchor group that bonds to the electron conductor. The solar cell may include a hole conductor that is configured to reduce the quantum dot once the quantum dot absorbs a photon and ejects an electron through the bifunctional ligand and into the electron conductor. The hole conductor may be a p-type polymer.

1. A solar cell, comprising:
 a quantum dot layer comprising a plurality of quantum dots; 
 an electron conductor layer; 
 a bifunctional ligand layer disposed between the quantum dot layer and the electron conductor layer, the bifunctional ligand layer comprising moieties configured to bond to the electron conductor layer and to the quantum dots within the quantum dot layer; and 
 a polymeric hole conductor layer in contact with the quantum dot layer, the polymeric hole conductor layer comprising monomers having pendant groups chemically similar to the bifunctional ligand layer moieties. 
 
     
     
       2. The solar cell of  claim 1 , wherein the bifunctional ligand layer comprises cysteine, isocysteine or homocysteine. 
     
     
       3. The solar cell of  claim 1 , wherein the monomer pendant groups comprise cysteine, isocysteine or homocysteine. 
     
     
       4. The solar cell of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the bifunctional ligand layer moieties are distinct from but structurally identical to at least some of the monomer pendant groups. 
     
     
       5. The solar cell of  claim 1 , wherein the bifunctional ligand layer comprises 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
       6. The solar cell of  claim 5 , wherein the polymeric hole conductor layer comprises 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
       7. The solar cell of  claim 1 , wherein the bifunctional ligand layer comprises 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
       8. The solar cell of  claim 7 , wherein the polymeric hole conductor layer comprises 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
       9. The solar cell of  claim 1 , wherein the bifunctional ligand comprises 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
       10. The solar cell of  claim 9 , wherein the polymeric hole conductor layer comprises 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
       11. A solar cell, comprising:
 a quantum dot; 
 an electron conductor; 
 a bifunctional ligand disposed between the quantum dot and the electron conductor, the bifunctional ligand comprising a sulfur-based amino acid; and 
 a hole conductor in contact with the quantum dot, the hole conductor comprising a pendant group that is chemically similar to the sulfur-based amino acid. 
 
     
     
       12. The solar cell of  claim 11 , wherein the bifunctional ligand and the hole conductor group each comprise 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
       13. The solar cell of  claim 11 , wherein the bifunctional ligand and the hole conductor group each comprise 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
       14. The solar cell of  claim 11 , wherein the bifunctional ligand and the hole conductor group each comprise 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
       15. The solar cell of  claim 11 , wherein the hole conductor comprises 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
       16. A solar cell, comprising:
 a quantum dot; 
 an electron conductor; 
 a hole conductor having a pendant group comprising a sulfur-based amino acid; and 
 a bifunctional ligand disposed between the quantum dot and the electron conductor; 
 wherein the bifunctional ligand is chemically similar to the sulfur-based amino acid. 
 
     
     
       17. The solar cell of  claim 16 , wherein the hole conductor pendant group and the bifunctional ligand each comprise 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
       18. The solar cell of  claim 16 , wherein hole conductor pendant group and the bifunctional ligand each comprise 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
       19. The solar cell of  claim 16 , hole conductor pendant group and the bifunctional ligand each comprise 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
       20. The solar cell of  claim 16 , wherein the hole conductor comprises